This Week’s Fusion News: May 30, 2025
Things You Gotta Know
From Moonshots to Megawatts: Why Fusion’s Cold War Moment Matters
Fusion energy’s path forward may be best fueled not by global cooperation, but by high-stakes competition. Drawing parallels to the Cold War space race, Oded Gour-Lavie argues that national rivalry—especially among the U.S., China, and Europe—is accelerating fusion breakthroughs far faster than multinational projects like ITER. While ITER faces years of bureaucratic delays, private startups such as Commonwealth Fusion Systems and national labs in China and Europe are rapidly hitting technical milestones, including China’s 120-million-degree plasma confinement and Europe’s investments in stellarators and laser-based approaches. With over $8 billion already poured into private fusion ventures, the race for commercialization is well underway. Fusion could reshape energy independence, climate resilience, and geopolitical influence, much like the space race did for information technology. Gour-Lavie contends that in a world of climate urgency and rising energy demand, competition—not consensus—may be humanity’s best shot at unlocking fusion’s potential.
Asia Accelerates Fusion Commercialization Amid Global Energy Shift
The Asia-Pacific region is transitioning from fusion research to commercialization, with countries like Japan and China leading the charge. Japanese companies such as Kyoto Fusioneering and Helical Fusion are advancing reactor designs and collaborating with domestic industrial partners. Startups like OpenStar Technologies have achieved significant milestones, including first plasma generation within two years on a $10 million budget. This regional momentum is transforming fusion from a scientific endeavor into a viable energy solution.
Trump’s Executive Orders Aim to Quadruple U.S. Nuclear Power Production
On May 23, 2025, President Donald Trump signed executive orders to significantly boost nuclear power production in the U.S., targeting a fourfold increase within 25 years. The directives transfer some regulatory authority from the independent Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to the Energy Department to accelerate advanced reactor development amidst surging electricity demand driven by AI and data centers. The executive orders establish an 18-month deadline for NRC project reviews, initiate a pilot program for three small reactors by July 2026, and invoke the Defense Production Act to secure nuclear fuel resources. While supporters praise the move for potentially reducing red tape and spurring technological leadership, critics express concerns over safety and regulatory oversight.
Europe Reconsiders Nuclear Energy Amid Energy Security Concerns
Several European countries are reversing previous decisions to phase out nuclear energy, citing the need for greater energy security and climate change mitigation. Belgium recently repealed its 2003 nuclear phase-out law, aligning with a broader European trend of reinvesting in nuclear power as a stable, low-carbon energy source. This shift reflects a growing consensus on the role of nuclear energy in achieving energy independence and meeting environmental goals.
Monaco Clean Fusion Forum Showcases Global Momentum and High-Level Support
Held at the Yacht Club de Monaco on April 28, 2025, the Monaco Clean Fusion Forum convened global policymakers, scientists, and industry leaders to champion the future of nuclear fusion. Supported by H.S.H. Prince Albert II and the Monaco Foundation, the forum spotlighted fusion’s role in enabling a carbon-neutral future. Highlights included keynote remarks by Prince Albert II and presentations from luminaries such as Kimberly Budil (LLNL) and Dr. Roger Falcone (UC Berkeley), who emphasized AI’s accelerating impact on fusion R&D. The event facilitated high-value cross-sector networking, reinforcing fusion’s rising global priority and underscoring the importance of collaborative momentum across academia, finance, and government.
Type One Energy Advances 350 MW Stellarator Fusion Reactor Design
Type One Energy has completed the initial design review of its “Infinity Two” stellarator fusion reactor, aiming to deliver 350 megawatts of electricity to the grid by the mid-2030s. The design leverages proven stellarator technology for stable, continuous operation and is being developed in collaboration with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Several prominent energy utilities and industrial companies have expressed interest in participating in the deployment of this first-generation fusion power plant technology.
Wendelstein 7-X Achieves First High-Energy Helium-3 Ion Generation
Scientists at the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) stellarator in Germany have successfully generated high-energy helium-3 ions using ion cyclotron resonance heating. This milestone demonstrates the stellarator’s capability to produce the conditions necessary for sustained nuclear fusion reactions. The achievement marks a significant step forward in fusion research, highlighting the potential of stellarators in future energy production.
Commonwealth Fusion Seeks Zoning Approval for Virginia Fusion Plant
Commonwealth Fusion Systems has filed a formal zoning request to build a 400-megawatt nuclear fusion power plant in Chesterfield, Virginia. The proposed facility, known as ARC, aims to be the world’s first commercial fusion power plant, with construction anticipated to begin in the late 2020s. The plant is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 150,000 homes and represents a significant advancement in bringing fusion energy to the grid.
Pulsar Fusion Unveils Concept for High-Speed Fusion Rocket
UK-based startup Pulsar Fusion has revealed a concept for the Sunbird Migratory Transfer Vehicle, a fusion-powered rocket capable of reaching speeds up to 329,000 miles per hour. Utilizing Dual Direct Fusion Drive (DDFD) engines, the rocket aims to halve travel time to Mars and revolutionize deep-space missions. The company plans to demonstrate components of its power system later this year, with in-orbit testing targeted for 2027.
Type One Energy Completes Initial Design Review of Fusion Power Plant
Type One Energy has completed the initial design review of its Infinity One fusion power plant, marking a significant milestone in the development of its stellarator-based fusion technology. The company aims to deploy the plant in collaboration with the Tennessee Valley Authority, with the goal of delivering clean, reliable fusion energy to the grid. This progress underscores the potential of stellarator designs in achieving practical fusion power generation.
Comparing The Advantages and Disadvantages of Fusion Versus Solar Plus Battery Storage
BY MICHAEL HEUMANN
Solar is fast, clean, and low-cost, but it’s non-dispatchable and land-hungry. Fusion, though slower to scale, offers compact, continuous power. As energy demand surges, our latest analysis explores why these two technologies are more complementary than competitive.
Inside the Polywell: EMC2 Fusion’s Compact Approach to Fusion Power
BY MICHAEL HEUMANN
In this exclusive interview, we talk with Dave Mansfield of EMC2 Fusion about the legacy of Dr. Bussard’s revolutionary “Polywell” design, why magnetic cusp confinement could rewrite the fusion playbook, and how their neutron source program could fast-track tritium breeding and datacenter energy provisioning.
The State of Fusion Energy Regulations: A Bright Spot for Future Progress!
BY MICHAEL HEUMANN
Fusion energy enjoys a lighter regulatory burden than nuclear fission; no meltdown risk, no long-term waste, and strong NRC support. With new U.S. regulations arriving in 2025, the framework for fusion deployment is coming into focus. We break down what’s changing, what it means for developers, and how this could accelerate commercialization.
